Georgia's aim to accelerate its joining the NATO by playing risky power games with Russia can stretch Moscow's patience too far, observers say.

"There is a threat" that rising tensions between the two former Soviet republics could provoke a confrontation, said Pavel Felgenhauer, an independent Russian defense analyst.

Over the past month, Georgia has accused Russia of dropping missile on its territory and violating its airspace. But, Russia has denied all these allegations.

Brussels news agencies announced Friday that NATO aims to takes Georgia under its radar.

During the 2006 winter, Russian gas supplies to Georgia were cut off for prolonged repairs on a pipeline. A few months later, Russia banned the import of wine and mineral water from Georgia.

Then, in September 2006, Georgia arrested four Russian officers charged for spying. This prompted Russia to suspend all direct transport and postal links, as well as to deport hundreds of Georgian immigrants from Russia.

Russia has also given political and economic backing to two Georgian separatist regions.